Mostly Clear, 56° F
(Nov. 18, 2007)
Nola Dusenberry Silvernale, 85, died in Powell Sunday, Nov. 18 after a gallant battle with ovarian cancer.
She was born Nola Eileen Blincow at her parent’s home on March 24, 1922 in Oxford, Neb, daughter of Roy Malvin Blincow and Gracie Mae (Huffman) Blincow. She attended Oxford public schools and lived in Oxford until 1953.
Her nickname when she was a young was “Blink,” a takeoff on her last name. One of her childhood memories was having a front tooth butted out by a calf. Living through the depression as a child left her with many profound memories of the poverty and desperation of that era. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, and music was a special interest all her life. As a youngster, she cleaned the piano teacher’s house each week in exchange for receiving the valued piano lesson that she could not get in any other way. She went on to teach piano lessons in Oxford from the age of 15 until her son Donald was born in 1944. She also sang in various choirs and played piano for various groups before she was married.
Nola married Earl Leslie Dusenberry on March 17, 1939 in Norton, Kans. From the mid-1940’s until 1953 she worked at the C. A. Swanson poultry plant in Oxford. Her first jobs were on the poultry processing lines. Later she advanced and moved into the plant office, doing typing, running a comptometer (early adding machine), and secretarial work.
In 1953, she moved with her family to Meeteetse. In 1954, the family moved again to Powell, where she lived the rest of her life. She lived on Douglas Street, then the Homer Mann farm on the Willwood, and then at 744 N. Gilbert Street in Powell since the 1960’s.
After raising her family, she was determined to complete her high school diploma. Along with her daughter, Sharon, she received her high school GED diploma in 1963 at Powell High School. She then went on to attend Northwest College in Powell where she received her AA degree and was proud of the fact that she received an academic scholarship to continue her education at the University of Wyoming, although she was not able to go on to Laramie and complete a bachelors degree as she would have liked to do. In the ensuing years, Nola worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for OK (Brodrick) Chevrolet, Anderson Accounting, Puregro, and J&R Well Service in Powell. Her first husband, Earl Dusenberry, died in 1971.
Nola was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Powell. She had a special interest in “elephant” collectibles and had an extensive collection. She was active in the Rebekahs (Odd Fellows Auxiliary) in Oxford. In Wyoming, she was active in the Powell Does (Elks) and Powell Eagles Auxiliary and served in various officer capacities, including pianist, in both organizations.
Nola married Stewart Frederick Silvernale in Powell on Jan. 10, 1981. She retired on Dec. 31, 1987, the same date that Fred retired from the Park County Sheriff’s Office. They enjoyed many special trips to the Oregon Coast, playing golf, exploring the small Oregon coastal towns, and enjoying the ocean during their years of marriage.
Survivors include her husband of 26 years, Fred Silvernale of Powell; daughter Sharon and husband Joe Fech of Meeteetse; sons, Bill Dusenberry and wife Sharon of Fort Collins, Colo., and Michael Dusenberry and wife Cindy of Powell. She is also survived by brother Bill Blincow and wife Alda and brother Mark Blincow and wife Janice, both of Oxford, Neb.; and nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. From her marriage to Fred Silvernale, she is survived by stepsons, Bruce Silvernale of Pine Plains, N.Y., Gary Silvernale of St. Augustine, Fla., Mark Silvernale and wife Michelle of Mequon, Wisc., and five step-grandchildren.
Nola was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Alvin Blincow; a sister, Juanita Boe; a son, Donald James Dusenberry in 1959; her first husband, Earl Dusenberry in 1971; a grandson, Billy Gene Huhnke in 2004; and a granddaughter, Mari Lynne Huhnke Lekarczyk in 2004.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Powell on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. Cremation has taken place. Donations may be made in Nola’s memory to a charity of choice. Thompson Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.
